Thomas Marsden died from his wounds on this day in 1918
Thomas Marsden was born on 1 September 1898 in Birkenhead. His parents were Benjamin James Marsden, an Iron Turner, and Lillie Marsden née Neale.
He had three older siblings - Benjamin James (1892), Alexander James (1894) and Amy (1897); and three younger siblings - Lily (1900), Arthur Edward (1903) and George Abner (1908). Five other children died.
In 1901, the family lived at 1 Stafford Street, Birkenhead but, by 1911, they had moved to 30 Bentinck Street in Birkenhead.
Thomas was educated at the local St. John's School. On leaving school, he became an Apprentice Boiler Maker.
On 8 July 1915, aged 16, he enlisted in The Cheshire Regiment and, on 2 February 1916, he went to France.
Thomas was wounded in October 1916 at Ypres and invalided home.
On 11 September 1917, he rejoined his regiment in France as a Bomber and then a Motor Driver.
In December 1917, he was wounded again and, once more, invalided home.
The April 1918 Police Gazette reported that Thomas was "named in list of deserters and absentees from His Majesty's Service", the offence apparently taking place in Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 20 March 1918.
The next issue of the Police Gazette in May reported him as "a deserter or absentee who has rejoined or who, for any other reason, is not to be apprehended".
On 9 May 1918, Thomas returned to his regiment in France and, in September, was in trenches in the Cambrai area.
On 28 September 1918, Thomas was wounded in action at Gouzeaucourt, and died at the 56th Casualty Clearing Station at Bapaume the same day.
He is buried at Grévillers British Cemetery near Baupaume.
27113 Private Thomas Marsden 1st Battalion (22nd Foot) The Cheshire Regiment